The Ontario Liberal Party is gearing up for its annual general meeting in Toronto this weekend, where the future of leader Bonnie Crombie will be under scrutiny.
Members of the party will be casting their votes on whether to proceed with a new leadership convention. While publicly, Liberal caucus members are rallying behind Crombie, expressing their confidence that she will weather the leadership evaluation.
In a unanimous decision back in March, the party’s Executive Council threw its support behind Crombie continuing as the party leader, despite her loss in the riding of Mississauga East-Cooksville. The Liberals made a significant comeback in the last provincial election, securing official party status after seven years with 14 seats. Crombie highlighted the party’s 30% share of the popular vote and the election of five new MPPs, successfully turning the tide in both PC and NDP strongholds.
Although Crombie has expressed her intention to vie for a legislative seat again, she has made it clear that she will not request any caucus members to step aside for her candidacy.
Behind closed doors, Liberal insiders are voicing uncertainties about Crombie’s leadership, questioning her suitability to lead the party into the next provincial election.
A recent party report critiqued the campaign’s emphasis on health care and the shortage of family physicians, noting that voters were more concerned about affordability. The review also highlighted the failure to distinguish the Liberals from their political rivals, the NDP and Progressive Conservatives, as well as the inadequate effort to define Doug Ford.
The report stated, “Despite a history of policy reversals, scandals, and underperformance, Ford managed to present himself as a steady presence during uncertain times. We failed to adequately challenge this narrative or connect his decisions to the instability and economic worries felt by Ontarians.”
Formally, Crombie requires at least 50% support to retain her leadership position, but Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith, the runner-up to Crombie in the 2023 leadership contest, recently opined in a public letter that a simple majority of 51% might not be adequate.
Erskine-Smith hinted at a potential leadership bid if the delegates opt for a leadership change.
When asked about her strategy in the event of receiving less than the needed support, Crombie expressed confidence and optimism in a positive outcome and stated that any alternative decision would be made “in due course.”
Crombie is slated to address the delegates on Saturday, with the results of the leadership vote anticipated to be announced on Sunday evening.